CONFUCIANISM With no CLERGY or GODS - Confucianism is not a religion in the TRADITIONAL sense ETHICAL system provides direction for personal behavior Practiced mostly in CHINA – about 6.3 million followers Based on the teachings of Chinese scholar CONFUCIUS Confucius (551–479 BC)- teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher Born at a time of CRISIS and VIOLENCE in China Hoped his beliefs and teachings would restore order to society

CONFUCIUS Philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality - correctness of social relationships -justice and sincerity Confucius's principles - based on common Chinese tradition and belief Believed in: strong family loyalty - ancestor worship -respect of elders by their children and of husbands by their wives His principle "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself", an early version of the Golden Rule

FIVE KEY RELATIONSHIPS Confucius believed order, harmony, good government could be restored if society were organized around the: FIVE KEY RELATIONSHIPS 1. RULER - SUBJECT 2. FATHER - SON 3. HUSBAND - WIFE 4. OLDER BROTHER – YOUNGER BROTHER 5. FRIEND - FRIEND

FIVE KEY RELATIONSHIPS Except for FRIENDSHIPS – none of the relationships were EQUAL OLDER superior to YOUNGER MEN superior to WOMEN {Were not supposed to take advantage of position but serve as a guide or role model}

FILIAL PIETY FILIAL PIETY is respect for one's parents and ancestors: *to be good and take care of parents *show love, respect, courtesy and support *display sorrow for their sickness and death Filial Piety emphasized in Confucianism because devotion to one's parents was associated with one's devotion to the state; it also meant honoring their parents’ memories after death

ANALECTS ANALECTS: the collection of writings, sayings and ideas of Confucius

SHINTO SHINTO is the traditional religion of JAPAN Shinto means “WAY OF THE GODS” About 4 Million people practice Shinto Shinto – based on respect for forces of NATURE and ANCESTOR worship Shinto is sometimes seen more as a way of life rather than a religion by the Japanese due to its long historical and cultural significance

KAMI KAMI – divine spirits in NATURE - KAMI thought to control powerful forces of nature KAMI are worshipped in the religion of Shinto - they are elements in nature, animals, as well as SPIRITS of the deceased Many Kami are considered the ancient ancestors of entire clans, and some ancestors became Kami upon their death if they were able to embody the values and virtues of Kami in life {Traditionally great or charismatic leaders like the Emperor could be kami} In Shinto - Kami are not separate from nature, but are of nature, possessing positive and negative, good and evil characteristics

KAMI Believers respected the Kami and tried to win their favor through prayer and offerings. The shared beliefs of the followers of Shinto eventually helped unite all of Japan.

SHINTO-BUDDHISM BUDDHISM was introduced to Japan from KOREA in the 6th Century Some Buddhist rituals became Shinto rituals and some Shinto traditions were practiced in Buddhist temples. Most “LIFE" events are handled by Shinto and “DEATH" or "afterlife" events are handled by Buddhism {*Example: it is typical in Japan to celebrate a birth at a Shinto shrine while funeral arrangements are generally dictated by Buddhist tradition} http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgQ4eCc38dM

ANIMISM Traditional African people developed belief systems that helped them understand and organize information about their world. Nearly all religions involved a belief in one creator or god. They also included elements of Animism

ANIMISM Animism is not a SPECIFIC religion but more of a term to describe TRADITIONAL religious beliefs Animism is the belief that there is no separation between the SPIRITUAL and PHYSICAL (or material) world Souls or Spirits exist, not only in humans, but also in all other animals, plants, and other natural forces. Animism believes spirits of deceased ANCESTORS can have a POSITIVE or NEGATIVE effect on life